Deck the Halls Around the World: Teaching Holidays with Flair!

'Tis the season to be scholarly! As we approach the end of the year, what better way to sprinkle some educational cheer into your classroom than by embarking on a whirlwind adventure around the globe? Buckle up, dear educators, as we dive headfirst into the festivities of a "Holidays Around the World" unit that will leave your students jingling with joy and brimming with cross-cultural wisdom. Here are some lesson ideas for a wonderful Holidays Around the World series.

Lesson 1: Sleigh-ing Stereotypes

Before we jingle all the way, let's break the ice by shattering stereotypes like a kid on a sugar rush demolishing a gingerbread house. It's time to turn the stereotypical Santa Claus image on its head – no, really! Did you know that in some parts of the world, Santa might be swapping his reindeer for kangaroos or even riding a surfboard? Yep, the holiday season is diverse, and so are its Santas. Have students research the different Santa figures around the world and chart the differences.

Lesson 2: Merry Map-Making

Grab your compass and dust off that world map because it's time to play the ultimate festive cartographer. Challenge your students to pinpoint where their favorite holiday traditions originate. Discovering that Christmas is global might just broaden their cultural horizons faster than a stocking stuffed with knowledge.

Lesson 3: Language Lessons with a Side of Latkes

Unleash the power of language by exploring how different cultures express holiday cheer. Learn how to say "Merry Christmas" in Finnish (Hyvää Joulua), light the menorah while munching on "latkes" and "sufganiyots", and maybe even throw in a "Feliz Navidad" for good measure. It's a linguistic feast that'll make your classroom sound like a United Nations of holiday happiness. Check out this link for more Christmas Greetings Around The World | Dictionary.com

Lesson 4: Arts and Crafts, Multicultural Edition

Who says arts and crafts are just for preschoolers? Unleash the child inside and infuse your classroom with some festive flair from around the world. Have students make origami snowflakes, Mexican papel picado, and Australian bush ornaments – the possibilities are as endless as a child's holiday wishlist!

Lesson 5: Festive Foods Frenzy

Prepare your taste buds for a world tour without leaving the classroom. Dive into the delectable delights of global holiday cuisines – from Italian panettone to Japanese osechi-ryori. Just be ready for the inevitable "Can we do a taste test, please?" plea from your eager students. Bon appétit, buon Natale, and guten Appetit! Check out this free printable Christmas Around the World Cookbook for kids - Free Gift: Christmas Around the World Cookbook for Kids - Love These Recipes

Lesson 6: Musical Mistletoe Madness

Deck the halls with tunes from every latitude! From the mesmerizing sounds of the Japanese koto to the rhythmic beats of Brazilian samba, let the music of the world serenade your classroom. If your students start dancing, consider it an extra credit assignment. Here is a FUN CD to use in the classroom - Holiday Songs Around the World (CD) - Music is Elementary

So there you have it, educators! Get ready to sleigh this "Holidays Around the World" unit with a blend of cultural curiosity, a dash of creativity, and a whole lot of festive fun. After all, 'tis the season to be jolly!